Mapping the Global Landscape of Long-Term Care Insurance Research: A Scientometric Analysis

Abstract

With the aging population increasing dramatically and the high cost of long-term care (LTC), long-term care insurance (LTCI) has expanded rapidly across the world. This review aims to summarize the status quo, evolution trends, and new frontiers of global LTCI research between 1984 and 2021 through a comprehensive retrospective analysis. A total of 1568 articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database were systematically analyzed using CiteSpace visualization software (CiteSpace 5.8. R2, developed by Dr. Chaomei Chen at Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA, USA)). The overall characteristics analysis showed that LTCI is an emerging research field in a rapid development stage—nearly 50% of articles were published in the past five years. The most productive LTCI research institutions and authors are located primarily in Japan and the USA. A rigorous analysis based on a dual perspective of references and keywords was applied to reveal that common LTCI hot topics include disability in the elderly, LTC financing, demand for and supply of LTCI, and LTCI systems. In addition, LTCI research trends have shifted from the supply side to the demand side, and from basic studies to practical applications. The new research frontiers are frailty in the elderly, demand for LTCI, and LTCI systems. These findings can provide help and reference for public health practitioners and researchers, as well as help with the sustainable development of LTCI research.